Milnes Type 'R' Lathe on eBay

There is a lovely Milnes type 'R' on eBay right now, I've got the hots for it already. I believe this was the model that LBSC spoke so highly of, I think it would be a great project to restore this item.

I've already got an ML7, so I've got some idea about older lathes, but I'd be very interested to hear the thoughts of others who may know something about these lathes. I've already looked on Lathes.co.uk, there is a lot of information on there.

Sorry I can't work out how to post a link, but the item number is: 332346579783.

Regards,

John.

8MAAOSw0AxZlLzq

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/H-Milnes-R-type-metal-lathe-/332346579783?hash=item4d61665b47:g8MAAOSw0AxZlLzq

Looks nice

MichaelG.

.

Sorry about the pesky auto-smiley

... I think the link still works though.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 17/08/2017 09:22:39

Thank you Michael!

Regards,

John.

But note picture 6 in the listing

Well spotted David! I completely missed that. Anyone know how difficult it would be to fix?

Dave

Dave

If you look carefully on picture five, it looks like another crack on the opposite side of the boss, so I expect the boss was completely cracked off, and the two bolts (and packing washers) are the repair that holds the boss on.

Personally, I would walk away. Shame, looks ok apart from that.

I run a Milnes type R lathe, and my lathe is shown on the lathes.co site under "Milnes type R". It's the second one in grey-blue paint with its original overhead countershaft. It is the standard bed length version, whereas the current Ebay ad looks like the long bed version.

I acquired mine about 9 years back and was very fortunate in that it was complete with a great deal of tooling, three and 4 jaw chucks, faceplate, driver plate, all its changewheels, (seemingly unused), overhead countershaft, bench and motor etc. etc. It was dirty and oil-soaked but had been little-used. The original frosting is still visible on the bed surfaces. It is a very accurate lathe for its age....headstock to tailstock alignment is excellent and taper on turned work is minimal. From advertisements in ME vols. from the 1920's and 1930's, my guess is that it dates from that era. My understanding is that Messrs. Milnes did not make the type R after about 1939.

I think it is a very fine machine for its time and still capable of very good work. LBSC ran one for many years. It was known as the "Rolls Royce of small lathes"...and I wouldn't dispute that.

If that's the only issue, I wouldn't be put off. Seems pretty good otherwise and if you can't fix something like that to an adequately functional standard perhaps the armchair is the place for you! For one thing it may significantly limit the price.

You'd probably end up paying more for a Sooper Adept. I'll get my coat....

Murray

For the right price it must be a good restoration job as for the crack you could pay to have it welded by someone in the trade , I'd go for it they used to be good machines I served my apprenticeship were they were used for small jobs good luck

Repairing cast iron properly is too hit or miss for my liking.

There's plenty of other decent lathes on eBay that don't have cracked off bosses

Now it's in Brandon, and you all know that's the gleaming heart of humanity. Glorious Brandon reign eternally.

Wonderful little lathe though.

Michael W

I'd machine the broken face flat then bolt something like a big end cap on. If the price is right and you have the facilities to machine the headstock I'd have a go. It wouldn't be too unethical to post a question about the broken bit.

Thank you all for your help, I'll have to decide if I can manage this restoration.

Regards,

John.

Re the LBSC connection, I've shown this pic before, but not for a long time. Corner of LBSC's workshop.

I've not seen that before, thank you Robbo!

Regards,

John.

I wonder where all Curly's machines are now, hopefully survived somewhere,great photo

Mick

Wow !! ... it only made £63

I hope it was you, John

MichaelG.

No Michael, I'm afraid I wimped out at the last minute...

Regards,

John.